Chapter 94: Just Showing Goodwill

On February 2nd, Spring Festival, this year's CCTV New Year's Gala was mocked by netizens as a "three-no" Gala.

Boring! Uninteresting! Tasteless!

Netizens also called it the worst Spring Festival Gala in twenty years.

Anyway, the only thing Fang Hong remembered clearly from this year's Gala was the song "In the Spring."

The two singers who performed it, Xuri Yanggang, also became wildly popular across Jiangnan.

But soon after, controversy arose and they faded into obscurity—after all, grassroots artists without roots get crushed until they vanish into the crowd.

Fang Hong and his mother spent the holiday quietly, simply preparing a full table of dishes for their New Year's Eve dinner.

After dinner, Xu Liyun went to call their hometown; though their feelings had grown distant, exchanging greetings was still necessary.

Fang Hong, meanwhile, was studying hard, reading books like A Course in Miracles, Conversations with God, and Letting Go of Attachments.

Only then could he draw closer to Liu Tianxian's soul.

Tricks alone won't work—tricks only fool naive girls who've never seen the world or endured hardship.

For someone like Liu Tianxian, who's suffered major setbacks and is constantly fed ideas by Liu Xiaoli, tricks aren't enough.

Tricks can at most narrow the gap between them!

You must conquer her mind and body fully.

Suddenly, his phone rang: "Ding-ding-ding!" Without thinking, Fang Hong answered.

Because over the past few days, Liu Tianxian had occasionally called him to discuss life's philosophy.

"Hey, Principal, I'll be coming over in a couple days—you've got to take me in."

Hearing the voice, Fang Hong checked the caller ID: Yu Xian.

He frowned: "You're not staying home for the holiday—why are you coming to my place?"

"I have no home anymore. Completely gone."

Yu Xian recounted his sorrow over the phone: his parents had died years ago in a workplace accident, and the compensation money had been paid out.

His only relative, his grandfather, had passed away just days ago—now he had no family left, utterly alone.

After settling his grandfather's funeral and selling off the family property, he would come to stay with him.

Classic protagonist template!

Fang Hong felt Yu Xian was going to freeloader off him, just like he himself had once freeloadered off Liu Tianxian when he had nothing.

But it didn't matter—he was leaving for the United States anyway; might as well freeloader there.

"Fine, call me ahead of time when you're coming—I'll pick you up. And if you need anything, tell me—don't try to tough it out alone," Fang Hong comforted.

"Thanks," Yu Xian said.

"Don't thank me—we're brothers, right?" Fang Hong said.

They chatted a while longer; Fang Hong mainly encouraged him, repeating the same line: if you need help, say so—I've got your back!

Just like when he first started his business, Liu Tianxian had had his back.

This moved Yu Xian deeply—after all, only brothers can be relied on; everyone else, even relatives, can't be trusted.

After hanging up, Xu Liyun walked over: "Xiao Hong, are you going to Yifei's tomorrow?"

That's New Year's Day!

"Of course I am," Fang Hong said firmly.

You've got to visit your future mother-in-law—even if you have to force yourself.

"Then invite her over to our place," Xu Liyun suggested.

Fang Hong hesitated, but still agreed: "I'll try—I don't know if she has time."

"Say more nice things," Xu Liyun coached her son.

She knew her son's relationship with that girl was unstable.

What she didn't know was that Fang Hong had already worn himself out talking—every night he talked, and if it were that easy, it would've already worked.

The next day, Fang Hong stood again at Liu Tianxian's front gate, determined to persist—not by harassment, but by companionship.

"Why are you here today? It's New Year's Day—and you brought so many gifts. What's your intention?"

Liu Tianxian stood before the iron gate, feigning annoyance.

Coming on this day felt like visiting her parents' home—others might misunderstand, and her mother would start giving her another lecture.

Don't let some boy sweep you off your feet—stay pure and virtuous!

"Just showing some goodwill," Fang Hong said.

"Your 'goodwill' is more than enough goodwill," Liu Tianxian said, eyeing his heavy bags of gifts.

"Just a small token—nothing else behind it," Fang Hong said.

"You know whether there's meaning or not," Liu Tianxian tapped him.

Did she not know his little intentions?

"I do have some meaning in my heart—you should know what I mean, and I want to know if you have that same meaning," Fang Hong spoke in riddles.

"I don't know what you mean," Liu Tianxian said.

She turned and walked into the house, leaving the iron gate open—intentionally leaving it for the man.

Though she'd known his intentions from the start.

But she didn't mind—because along the way, she'd genuinely grown fond of him, and these past few days, his words had eased her inner pressure.

If she'd disliked him, she wouldn't have opened the iron gate today.

It was just that today was special—not a family visit—and his coming might be misinterpreted.

Liu Xiaoli was home; Fang Hong bowed politely as usual: "Auntie, Happy New Year!"

"Happy New Year!"

Liu Xiaoli showed no expression, merely sizing him up with her eyes—any fool would know what this visit meant.

But Fang Hong seemed perfectly open—look all you want, I'm already here, what else can I do?

"You two chat, I've got something to attend to." Liu Xiaoli must've been busy today.

As usual, they sat side by side on the sofa. Liu Tianxian crossed her legs, leaned sideways, propped her chin on one hand, and stared at Fang Hong beside her.

"Am I that handsome? Staring at me like that." Fang Hong touched his own face.

"All I see is a thick-skinned face."

Liu Tianxian was in good spirits, even joking—no longer the listless person she'd been before.

Even without Fang Hong healing her, she could've healed herself with time; she'd been through worse.

But with Fang Hong by her side during healing, her heart felt supported, as if someone stood with her, giving her strength.

This must be what's called a spiritual companion!

She picked up a sliced apple from the table and fed it to Fang Hong: "So what's the Principal's business today?"

"Come play at my place tomorrow!" Fang Hong glanced toward Liu Xiaoli, chewing the apple.

"How can I go now? Let's pick another day!"

Liu Tianxian spoke delicately—if she went, it would truly look like she was his daughter-in-law.

"Just do it as a gesture." Fang Hong pressed again.

"That kind of 'gesture' is just a gesture—nothing more." Liu Tianxian meant she was turning pretense into reality!

It was all pretend; she didn't want the elders to misunderstand.

"No one will misunderstand—it's just a friend's gesture. I swear there's no other meaning." Fang Hong said.

Liu Tianxian's phoenix eyes narrowed slightly; she leaned forward: "If you have no meaning, then what meaning is there for me to go?"

"So do you want me to mean something, or not mean anything at all?" Fang Hong was thoroughly confused by this woman.

Say you mean something—she says, "Who knows what you mean?"

Say you mean nothing—she says, "You're meaningless, so what's the point?"

Should you mean something, or shouldn't you mean anything?

Liu Tianxian couldn't help laughing "giggle-giggle-giggle"—she herself was a little dizzy too.

She was just teasing this man, and ended up tangled in her own web!

"What exactly are you two talking about?"

Liu Xiaoli walked over, cutting in—she'd overheard bits and was just as lost.

Had these two evolved to understand each other through riddles already? Their progress was fast!

"There's no meaning to it." Liu Tianxian sat up straight.

"I didn't ask what meaning it had."

Liu Xiaoli glared at her daughter—the mother and daughter glared identically; no wonder they were mother and daughter.

She turned to Fang Hong: "Xiao Fang, tell Auntie what this 'meaning' is."

"I just want to take Yifei out."

Fang Hong added: "Really, no other meaning—just going out to have fun."

With elders, he dared not play with "meaning"!

Liu Tianxian glanced at the man—she'd thought he'd lie to her mother, hiding his intent. Though he'd concealed some details, the meaning was still the same.

"In that case, we'll see if she's free. My Xixi's visiting relatives these days—probably no time." Liu Xiaoli didn't refuse outright, speaking gently.

"No problem, I was too forward." Fang Hong said.

They chatted casually for a while, then Fang Hong took his leave—Liu Xiaoli was there, so he couldn't get anything meaningful out of Liu Tianxian.

Her mother was polite, but clearly on guard.

That night, Fang Hong called Liu Tianxian—only then could they talk alone.

Calling at night had become their habit.

"Then I'll go and 'mean something' with you."

Liu Tianxian spoke playfully on the phone, then paused and said seriously: "But you still have to explain clearly to your mother—don't let her misunderstand."

She still needed to plant a warning—though she'd begun to feel something too, things were moving too fast.

"I already explained to my mother—we're emotionally unstable, might break up anytime. That way, you can move forward or retreat." Fang Hong said.

This surprised Liu Tianxian—she hadn't expected such a filial man to say such things to his mother.

"Did she believe you?"

"Why wouldn't she believe? She has her own meaning too—but since we don't, what can she do?" Fang Hong said.

That was true—Liu Tianxian agreed wholeheartedly; now she felt less pressure.

This man thought of her in every way.

"Let's be clear—I'm going not for your sake, but for your mother's." Liu Tianxian put on an act again on the phone.

"Yes yes yes, you don't need to do it for me." Fang Hong went along with her.

On the other end, Liu Tianxian smiled—how obedient he was.

They chatted at length, because now they had so many topics—philosophy, wind, snow, moon, literature, history—all of it.

Unlike before, when they barely had anything to say.

The next day, Liu Tianxian came up with an excuse—Fang Hong didn't pick her up, mainly because if he did, Liu Xiaoli would see.

Fang Hong asked: "Is it really okay to hide this from your mother?"

"What else can I do? Someone begged me to 'mean something'—I can't be too meaningless, can I?" Liu Tianxian smiled with narrowed eyes.

Fang Hong stayed silent—Liu Tianxian was hooked on "meaning" now!

The two walked in side by side; Xu Liyun was pleased to see them and wiped her hands on her apron before stepping forward to greet them.

"Auntie, Happy New Year!" Liu Tianxian said politely.

"Happy New Year, come in and rest—the food will be ready soon," Xu Liyun greeted warmly.

This was far warmer and more generous than when Fang Hong visited Liu Tianxian's home.

Liu Tianxian naturally felt it, and a warmth stirred in her heart.

"Woof woof woof!"

A small wolf dog suddenly charged out, barking furiously at Liu Tianxian as if ready to leap on her and tear her apart.

The wolf dog was completely unmoved by beautiful women.

Liu Tianxian turned pale with fear, cowered behind Fang Hong, using him as a shield.

She peered out, seeing the small wolf dog with jet-black fur, baring its teeth in a ferocious snarl—as if it meant to kill her!

"Heizi!"

Xu Liyun shouted, stomping her foot hard.

The small wolf dog fell silent, its tail drooping listlessly, looking obedient.

"Don't be afraid—this is Heizi. Whoever feeds it, it wags its tail for. It doesn't care who it bites," Fang Hong said, turning to Liu Tianxian.

Listening to him, Liu Tianxian felt his words carried hidden meaning—like he was comforting her, yet also hinting at something.

Heizi is just a dog—ignore it!

After taming Heizi, Xu Liyun said to Liu Tianxian: "Yifei, didn't it scare you?"

"It's fine, no problem," Liu Tianxian shook her head.

Xu Liyun was reassured: "Xiao Hong, keep her company—I'll go cook."

As she spoke, she shot Heizi a glare: "You dare bite my future daughter-in-law? I'll stew you alive."

The small wolf dog lay on the ground with a wronged look—its duty was to bite strangers!

One's your son, the next's your daughter-in-law—guarding the house is hard enough!

The two sat on the sofa; Liu Tianxian watched the small wolf dog, still snarling at her as if utterly unwelcoming to this outsider.

She couldn't help but complain: "You're so different from others—everyone keeps gentle cats or dogs, but you? You keep a wolf dog—don't you fear scaring people?"

"I didn't raise it—my mom did. It's for guarding the house," Fang Hong protested.

"Oh, I see."

Liu Tianxian grew curious: "Then why doesn't it bite you?"

"It dares not," Fang Hong said.

"Why doesn't it dare? Does this dog actually fear you?" Liu Tianxian didn't believe it.

Fang Hong's face darkened; his gaze sharpened at the wolf dog. Instantly, the dog, which had been lying on the ground, sprang up and retreated a few steps, cowering.

"Huh, it really is afraid of you," Liu Tianxian was surprised.

"Shouldn't it be afraid of me?" Fang Hong said as if it were obvious.

"Then I'll try too."

Liu Tianxian got playful, darkened her expression, and fixed a piercing gaze on the wolf dog.

But the wolf dog didn't move—an inch. It lay down comfortably, tongue lolling out, completely unaffected by Liu Tianxian's "piercing" stare.

"Why isn't it afraid of me? Am I not piercing? Not fierce?" Liu Tianxian clenched her tiny fists, forcing a menacing look.

But the wolf dog looked at her like she was crazy!

If the cook weren't here, it would've charged to bite her.

"It can't sense your killing intent," Fang Hong said.

"Then are you afraid of me?"

Liu Tianxian glanced sideways at him, her gaze sharp, brimming with killing intent.

"Afraid!" Fang Hong deliberately leaned back, feigning fear.

"Afraid of you, what nonsense!"

Liu Tianxian hit him: "I've never seen you be afraid."

"I have been afraid of you," Fang Hong muttered softly.

Liu Tianxian fell silent. She knew he didn't mean fear—he meant fondness, acceptance.

Fang Hong changed the subject: "Let me teach you—focus your gaze."

"Okay!"

Liu Tianxian's interest returned; she fixed her gaze intently on the wolf dog, her pupils slowly narrowing into slits, radiating killing intent.

The wolf dog sensed it, stood up, and recoiled in fright.

"Oh! It worked!"

Liu Tianxian clapped her hands excitedly, beaming with accomplishment.

"After all, it's just a pet—adorable, pitiful, utterly without killing intent," Fang Hong's words carried deeper meaning.

"You mean Heizi!" Liu Tianxian was sharp.

"I mean Heizi!"

They exchanged glances, perfectly understanding what the other was thinking.

(End of Chapter)